Instead, Sukhvinder Rai, 34, sent his lawyer, David Locke, to appear on his behalf.

Steve Panchuk — who has been driving a truck for 15 years — drove in from Brampton Friday morning to catch a glimpse of Rai, and was disappointed to miss him.

"I came down here because I wanted to see the guy who … caused all those problems, grief and aggravation for everybody."

Panchuk said he is angry about Rai's alleged behaviour because it "gives everybody a bad name."

Rai was the driver of a dump truck that slammed into the bridge in the Toronto-bound lanes of the Skyway on the Thursday afternoon before the August long weekend. The truck's box was raised when it hit the bridge.

He's charged with one count of impaired operation of a motor vehicle and one count of blood alcohol exceeding 80 milligrams while operating a motor vehicle.

Outside the John Sopinka Courthouse Friday, Locke spoke to the media on his client's behalf. Asked what happened the morning of the crash and whether his client has a drinking problem, Locke said he has "no instructions to talk about that."

When asked if Rai is seeking any form of treatment, Locke paused and said the Rai family is "taking this very seriously."

He is living in the "Brampton community," Locke said, but not working after his licence was suspended due to the charges. He added Rai expects to find other employment soon.

Locke said they've just received disclosure from police, including witness statements from that day, and will now have a chance to review the full allegations.

Rai's next court appearance is Oct. 3.

One side of the Skyway was closed for four days after the crash as crews installed a temporary beam and repaved the road. The cost of repairs could be millions of dollars, a government official has said.